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Development by Garrett of the TFE731 turbofan engine, promising lower noise levels and greater fuel economy than the General Electric CJ610 turbojet which had been the standard Learjet engine, led to the Learjet 35 and Learjet 36 introduced in 1973. It had been intended originally to develop additional versions of the Learjet 25 as the Learjet 25B-GF (Garrett fan) and Learjet 25C-GF. A Learjet 26 served as, the engine test-bed, with a 1588kg thrust TFE731-2 engine in the starboard nacelle and the CJ610 retained on the port side. It was flown on 4 January 1973 followed by a second Learjet 25 with two TFE731-2s and, on 22 August 1973, the first Learjet 35 took to the air.
Compared with the Learjet 25s, the
new Learjet 35 and Learjet 36 each had a 0.33m increase in length and, a 0.61m extension to each wingtip, outboard of the ailerons. They differed in fuel/seating capacity, the Learjet 35 carrying a maximum of eight passengers and, with reduced payload, having transcontinental range; and the Learjet 36 seating up to six passengers but with the ability to trade two of them for the extra fuel to give non-stop capability across the North Atlantic. Certification was gained and the first deliveries made in
1974. Two years later golf professional/
pilot Arnold Palmer used a Learjet 36 to
establish a new round-the-world class
record of 36990km completed in an elapsed time of 57 hours 25 minutes 42 seconds.
Incorporation of the cambered wing and aerodynamic developments introduced in the other members of the Learjet family in 1976 brought redesignation
to Learjet 35A and Learjet 36A, and
steady product improvement has continued from.that time. The US Air Force leased 84 Model 35As as operational support aircraft between 1984-85 and bought them outright in 1986. These six-to eight-seat light jets are designated C-21A and were joined by four more in 1987. By 1991 around 750 Learjet Model . 35/36 variants had been sold, including approximately 200 special mission versions to 20 customers around the world.
 | A three-view drawing of Learjet 35 (1198 x 862) |
MODEL | Learjet 36A |
ENGINE | 2 x Garrett TFE731-2-2B turbofans, 1588kg |
WEIGHTS |
Take-off weight | 8301 kg | 18301 lb |
Empty weight | 4152 kg | 9154 lb |
DIMENSIONS |
Wingspan | 12.04 m | 40 ft 6 in |
Length | 14.83 m | 49 ft 8 in |
Height | 3.73 m | 12 ft 3 in |
Wing area | 23.53 m2 | 253.27 sq ft |
PERFORMANCE |
Max. speed | 850 km/h | 528 mph |
Cruise speed | 774 km/h | 481 mph |
Ceiling | 13715 m | 45000 ft |
Range | 5015 km | 3116 miles |
lucy, 20.06.2011 Then I was the copilot with Bob Fisher as the pilot on the first flight of the Learjet 26 (later designated the Learjet 36)with two TFE engines which took place on 4 January 1973. | , 20.06.2011 Learjet 35/36 1973 | Scott Boyd, 22.01.2011 I was there, I was working as a flight instructor for Clinton Aviation at Arapaho Airport. I was also in Cortez when a couple of guys flew a Bonanza around the World, took quite a bit longer. | Andy Lahey, 21.09.2008 Something not too widely known is that world renowned golf pro Arnold Palmer along with three other men set a new international record in 1976, when they flew around the world in a Learjet 36 from Denver to Denver in 57 hours, 25 minutes, and 42 seconds. | Robert Berry, 09.05.2008 This is a great web site with great aircraft information. However, I do have some corrections to this info on the Learjet 35/36. I flew the initial engine testbed flights with the TFE 731 engine on the starboard side and the CJ610 engine retained on the port side of a Learjet 25, not a Learjet 26. The first flight of this testbed took place on 19 May 1971. Then I was the copilot with Bob Fisher as the pilot on the first flight of the Learjet 26 (later designated the Learjet 36)with two TFE engines which took place on 4 January 1973. |
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